Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 1 of 4 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Exterior Lighting. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
4 reports
1 miles · Feb 24, 2006
Exterior Lighting
I OWN A 1999 KAWASAKI 1500 DRIFTER MOTORCYCLE THAT I BOUGHT NEW FROM G&G CYCLES, 142 LAFAYETTE ROAD, SALISBURY, MA, 01952. SINCE IT WAS NEW THE TURN SIGNAL WOULD COME ON WHEN I STARTED THE MOTORCYCLE. THE DEALER HAD NO SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM WHEN I POINTED OUT THAT IT CREATED A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE, IF I FAILED TO TURN IT OFF…
Read full complaint
I OWN A 1999 KAWASAKI 1500 DRIFTER MOTORCYCLE THAT I BOUGHT NEW FROM G&G CYCLES, 142 LAFAYETTE ROAD, SALISBURY, MA, 01952. SINCE IT WAS NEW THE TURN SIGNAL WOULD COME ON WHEN I STARTED THE MOTORCYCLE. THE DEALER HAD NO SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM WHEN I POINTED OUT THAT IT CREATED A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE, IF I FAILED TO TURN IT OFF BEFORE DRIVING, IT WOULD SIGNAL OTHER DRIVERS THAT I WAS TURNING WHEN I WAS NOT IN FACT GOING TO DO SO, MAKING THEM TAKE DANGEROUS ACTION. IN THE LAST SEASON OF USING THE MOTORCYCLE THE PROBLEM WORSENED. NOW THE TURN SIGNALS WILL WORK FOR ONLY SEVERAL FLASHES AND THEN THEY BLOW THE MAIN FUSE FOR THE TURN SIGNALS RENDERING THEM INOPERATIVE, AGAIN, A SAFETY ISSUE. THE DEALER TELLS ME THAT THERE IS NO WAY THAT THEY CAN FIX IT ASIDE FROM TRYING TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE ELECTRONICS ON THE MOTORCYCLE. THIS ALSO RENDERS THE MOTORCYCLE UNABLE TO PASS A SAFETY INSPECTION AND THEREFORE, INOPERABLE ON PUBLIC ROADS. I WOULD LIKE THE DEALER TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS ORIGINAL DEFECT AND FIX MY MOTORCYCLE. I AM USING AN INCIDENT DATE THAT COINCIDES WITH THE FIRST TIME, AT PURCHASE, THAT I NOTICED THE PROBLEM. THANK YOU FOR HELPING WITH THIS, GARY LOWE 603-431-7484. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10151125
Mileage unknown · Nov 7, 2000
Unknown Or Other
KICKSTAND HAS NO LOCKING DEVICE. THIS CAUSES THE STAND TO FAIL TO SUPPOT THE BIKE IN CERTAIN PARKING SITUATIONS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #735953
Mileage unknown · Nov 7, 2000
Unknown Or Other
WITH THE CYCLE ON THE SIDE STAND, OF THE BIKE IS ON A SLIGHT DOWN HILL DECLINE OR GREATER, THE BIKE WILL MOVE FORWARD ON ITS OWN AND TIP OVER. THIS NOT ONLY CAUSES DAMAGE TO THE CYCLE, BUT COULD FALL ON TOP OF AN INDIVIDUAL CAUSING INJURY.*AK
NHTSA ODI #735893
Mileage unknown · Nov 5, 2000
Unknown Or Other
WHEN MOTORCYCLE IS PARKED IDLING, THE BIKE WILL FALL OVER DUE TO NO LOCKING POSTION ON THE SIDESTAND. THIS COULD RESULT IN AN INJURY OF THE RIDER OR OTHERS STANDING NEAR THE MOTORCYCLE. *AK
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES (VN1500-J1/L) EQUIPPED WITH A DIGITAL FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM AND A VEHICLE-DOWN SENSOR. THIS FEATURE IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM FROM CONTINUING TO PUMP FUEL IF THE MOTORCYCLE FALLS DOWN, BY SHUTTING OFF THE IGNITION AND FUEL INJECTION PUMP. DURING BATTERY MAINTENANCE, THE VEHICLE-DOWN SENSOR CAN BE DISLODGED FROM ITS NORMAL MOUNTED POSITION. IF THE SENSOR IS OUT OF POSITION, THE MOTORCYCLE MAY NOT START OR MAY STALL DURING CERTAIN DRIVING MANEUVERS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE SENSOR IS NOT CORRECTLY INSTALLED, THE ENGINE CAN CRANK BUT NOT START OR THE ENGINE COULD STOP DURING CERTAIN RIDING SITUATIONS, LIKE LEANING OVER IN A TURN. SUDDEN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER COULD CAUSE THE OPERATOR TO LOSE THEIR BALANCE RESULTING IN INJURY OR DEATH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR PROPER MOUNTING OF THE SENSOR AND RE-INSTALL IF IT IS NOT IN THE CORRECT POSITION. DEALERS WILL ALSO AFFIX TO THE MOTORCYCLE FRAME, A WARNING LABEL THAT PROVIDES INSTRUCTIONS ON REPOSITIONING THE VEHICLE-DOWN SENSOR AFTER SERVICING THE BATTERY.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
1999 Kawasaki Drifter Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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